Lock construction for washing machine cylinders



Oct. 16, 1934. LE ROY c. SCHENCK LOCK CONSTRUCTION FOR WASHING MACHINE CYLINDERS Filed Aug. 1. 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 l IIIIIIII'II I'll I lllll lllllllni nl l u l l z mf q IZ VQNTOR ATTORNEYS E y 2 9 Oct. 16, 1934.

LOCK CONSTRUCTION FOR WASHING MACHINE CYLINDERS LE ROY c. SCHENCK Filed Aug. 1, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 22% a ATTORNEY Oct. 16, 1934. LE ROY c. SCHENCK LOCK CONSTRUCTION FOR WASHING MACHINE CYLINDERS Filed Aug. 1. 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 l 'IIIIIIIIII/IIIIIIIIIIIIA INVENTOR 1? a M ATTO RNEY Patented Oct. 16, 1934 v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOCK CONSTRUCTION FOR WASHING MACHINE CYLINDERS Le Roy 0. Schenck, Moline, Ill., assignor to Troy LaundryMachinery 00., Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application August 1, 1931, Serial No. 554,469

Claims. (01. 220-) This invention relates to a locking construc- Fig. 8 is a perspective View of another part tion and, with regard to its more specific feaof my apparatus; 2 tures, to a latch and bolt construction to be Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a form of bolt used upon the sliding doors of washing maof my invention, and 5' chine cylinders orthe like. Fig. 10 is a sectional detail taken on line 10-10 One of the objects of this invention is to of Fig. 3. V r provide a locking construction which will be Turning now to the drawings for a detailed simple, practical and thoroughly durable. Andescription of my invention, there is shown in other object of this invention is to provide a de- Fig. 1 a cylindrical drum 10 suitably perforated vice of the above character which will be of to provide a washing machine cylinder of a easy and inexpensive manufacture. Another obwell-known type. This drum 10 is provided with ject of this invention is to provide a device of trunnions 11 mounted in its end' members for the above character which will keep the door providing means for rotatably mounting the of a cylindrical drum tightly closed under all drum in any suitable washing apparatus or fluid 15' conditions met with in operation. Another obcontainer, such container not being shown hereject of this invention is to provide a device of in. As shown, the drum is divided into a pluthe above character which may be regulated rality of compartments 12 formed by transverse so that a stable and tight fit is assured at all partitions 13' and radial partitions 22. The partimes between the contacting parts thereof and titions 22 as well as the outer wall plates 23 of v between the members upon which it is mounted. the drum are perforated to provide for admission Another object of this invention is to provide of the Water to the interior of the drum into a device of the above character which will be contact with the articles placed therein for readily accessible and convenient for quick mawashing. In the present instance these com nipulation by an operator. Other objects will partments 12 are of a sectorlike formation and be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereeach constitutes a one-third division of the space inafter. between opposing partitions 13.

The invention accordingly consists in the fea- As is commonly the practice, I have provided tures of construction, combinations of elements, sliding doo-rs, as indicated generally at 14, to and arrangements of parts as will be exemplified giveaccess tothe interior of the individual comin the structure to be hereinafter described, and partments 12 and to close the same when it is the scope of the application of which will be desired to operate the washer. These doors indicated in the following claims. slide in circumferential tracks or ways, gener- In the accompanying drawings in which one ally indicated by the reference numeral 15, one of the various possible embodiments of my intrack 15a being provided for one of the sliding 35 vention is. shown, edges of the-door and another track 151) for the Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cylindrical opposite sliding edge thereof. These tracks are drum such as is commonly used in washing maformed between opposing surfaces of bands 16 chine apparatus, and to which my locking mechand a filler member 20 disposed concentrically anism is particularly adapted; about flange 19 of a partition wall 13 (see Figs. 40 Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of 4 and 10). my locking mechanism as mounted upon one of In order to provide suitable latching means the doors of the drum shown in Fig. l; for each of these doors to hold it in place whenv Fig. 3 is an enlarged top plan view of my in closed position and to lock it in a thoroughly locking mechanism as installed on a drum such reliable manner, I have provided near the adas that shown in Fig. 1, portions thereof being vancing edge of each door a suitable bolt asbroken away; sembly, indicated generally by 1'7, which com- Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the prises a movable bolt member 43 adapted to enparts shown in Fig. 3, taken on line 4-4 of said gage a suitably positioned latch socket assembly,

. figure; indicated generally at 18, when the doors 14 are I Fig. 5 is a cross-section taken along the line tightly closed. The latch member 18 is mounted 55 of Fig. 4; beneath a portion-of band 16, filler member 20 Fig. 6 is a cross-section taken substantially being cut away adjacent the location of the along the line 66 of Fig. 4'; latch in order to provide space for its re- Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing one of ception. Preferably, each door is provided the parts of my apparatus in detail; with a'bolt upon each sliding edge, as stated above, and a latch member is; positioned adjacent thereto within each track space. Thus each partition 13 with its surrounding band and filler member provides a track or guideway for the adjacent edges of the doors of adjoining compartments, and in each of these guideways the partition flange 19 and filler member 20 are cut away to receive its respective latch assembly 13. As all these doors, bolts, latch members and guideways are the same, the following descripion will be restricted to one door of the drum, and to one bolt assembly with its complementary latch assembly.

By referring to Fig. 5 it will be seen that the advancing edge of the dooras it closes is received within a seat 29 formed beneath a strip extending longitudinally of the drum between adjoining bands 16 at the lower or advanced edge of the compartment opening. The strip is fastened c-Xteriorly of drum plates 23 to a flange 22c. formed upon a partition wall 22, there being filler members '26 and 27 interposed between sheet 23 and strip 25. Filler 27 is not as wide as filler 26 and strip 25, and consequently a space 29 is provided into which the advancing edge of the door seats itself when the door closes. These parts may be fastened together, as indicated, by rivets 28.

" Each pair of bolt assemblies for a door is seated in and covered by a single channel-shaped member 30, riveted as at 31 and 32, Fig. 5, upon theinterior of the door adjacent the forward edge thereof, these rivets passing through suitable flanges on the channel members, and the rivets 32, additionally, through a supporting strip 33 adapted to abut against member 26 and constitute a stop when the door is closed. The channel is slightly .shorter' than the width of the door so that it does not cause interference with the guideways formed by the bands 16 and associated parts. 'This construction is clearly shown in perspective in Fig. 2, and the location of parts may. best be understood by reference to Figs. 3, 5and 6. It will be understood that the channel 30 serves as a reinforcing member for the lower or advancing edge of the door and forms a substantially watertight cover for a pair of latch bolt assemblies.

. Referring particularly to Figs. 2, 3, .4 and 5, each bolt assembly will be seen to include a housing member 34 having flanges 37 and 38 adapted to fit between opposing edges of an opening 40 formed in the door member 14. A slidable bolt member indicated generally by. the reference numeral. 43 and shown in perspective in Fig. 9, is of a size and shape to fit within a rectangular recess 35, the form and disposition of which recess may be more clearly seen by reference to Fig. 7. Recess is longer than the recess cooperating portion of bolt 43, so as to provide a predetermined amount of clearance for movement of the bolt into and out of engagement with its associated latch member. An opening 51 in housing 34 connects recess 35 with a smaller recess 36 formed in a boss 39 positioned on the lower side of the housing 34, see Figs. 5ancl '7. A'plate 44 overlies the edges of the opening in the door and bolts 46 having nuts 50 are provided to pass through and hold in immovable assembled relation the channel member 36, the housing 34 and plate 44. Latch bolt member 43 is normally pressed resiliently to its outer or operativeposition by ,means of a compression spring 53 positioned in recess 36 and abutting at one-end against a wall 39 of housing 34 and at the other end against a lug 52 which extends downwardly into said recess 36 from bolt member 43. In order to provide a convenient means for operating the bolt, a handgrip 42 is provided therein which serves as a convenient means for closing the door. The latch bolt is of hollow construction and the hand-grip is conveniently provided by inwardly offsetting the side walls 41 thereof and extending them upwardly above the surface of cover plate 44.

As stated above, the latch member for the bolt is seated in space provided therefor beneath the band 16. Referring to Figs. 3, 4, 6 ands, the latch assembly will be seen to consist of a bracket or housing member indicated generally by the numeral 55, in which is adjustably mounted the latch socket member 68. This bracket is provided with two flanges 5'7, 58, adapted to be secured within the track space 15 by screws 21 passing through band 16, filler 2D and flange 19. The bracket is further supported upon a partition wall 13 by means of rivets 59 passing through said wall and a flange 56 suitably arranged for that purpose. This bracket provides an upwardly open rectangular recess 63, and adjacent its outer edge 62 the walls of this recess are cut out to provide s pace 66 within which the latch socket member 68 is seated. The latter'consis'ts of a base portion 69 seated in the recess 66 and in close engagement with said recess along its upper and lower surfaces, so that it is prevented from moving up or down in said recess, but the portion 69 is narrower than the width of the said recess so as to permit adjustment of the latch member 68 in a direction toward or away from the partition22 and door seat 29. Latch member 68 is bored and threaded as indicated in Fig. 6, to receive the threaded ends of a pair of adjustment bolts 72 and '73, which pass freely through the walls'of the bracket member and. enter into threaded engagement with the said socket member. Beneath the heads of the bolts are placed spring washers 74 and'75 adapted to maintain the adjustment of the parts. From the disclosure, it will be readily seen that by simultaneously unscrewing bolt 73 and screwing up on bolt 72, the latch member 68 will be shifted to the left while the reverse movement of said bolts will shift the latch member to the right. This arrangement provides for. a tight fit of the door in its closed position under all conditions of use and wear, as will be ex! plained later. Latch member 68 is provided with a pair of upstanding lugs 71 and between which the bolt end 54 may be thrust by reaction of the spring 53. It is to be noted that I have preferably shown the righthand latch lug 70 as viewed in Fig. 6, as having a tapering face coacting with a tapered faceof the bolt end 54. This form of construction has for its object the insuring of a very tight closure of the door by reason of the wedging action of, the bolt when it is thrust home in its cooperating latch member; and the adjustment by means of the bolts 72 and 73 insures that the parts will be properly positioned for this purpose and also provide a means for taking up wear of the coasting surfaces of bolt and latch. The operation of the latch is simple and a short description thereof will now be given. The operator, when desiring to fill a compartment of the drum, supposing the latter to be in a condition of rest and properly positioned, for,

loading, reaches his hand or hands, depending upon whether the door is fitted with one or two locks, into the hand grip or grips of the looking members and moves each bolt in a direction to cause disengagement of the end 54 thereof from the latch lugs 70, 71, and then lifts upwardly on the door. As soon as the door is moved away from the latch member the end of the bolt 54 comes into engagement with that portion of the flange 19 and spaces 20 which has not been cut away, and rides along those surfaces during the further opening of the door. Having loaded the compartment, the operator pulls down on the door by means of the hand grips until its lower edge is seated in the pocket 29, at which time, if proper adjustment has been made, the bolt end 54 is free to enter between the latch lugs '70 and 71 and is impelled into its seated position automatically by means of the spring 53. It will thus be seen that the only attention that the operator has to give to the bolt is in unlocking and that the locking thereof is accomplished without further thought on his part when closing the door.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that this invention is one well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinbefore set forth in a thoroughly practical manner, that the construction is rugged and not liable to displacement in use, and that it is of simple construction and may be economically manufactured and assembled. And it is to be particularly noted that initial positioning of the latch ing device, or readjustment for taking up wear, is accomplished by the lateral adjustability of the latch socket member in its housing.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and as many changes might be made in the embodiment set forth above, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In washing machine construction, in combination, means forming a substantially circumferential enclosure, a member slidably fitting within annular grooves upon the opposite sides of said enclosure and forming a door therefor, a bolt slidably mounted within a casing upon the interior of said door and adapted to slide toward one of said grooves, a housing positioned at a point along said one groove, a substantially U-shaped member mounted within said housing, a threaded member mounted in said housing and threadedly engaging said U-shaped member and adapted to be turned to change the position of said U-shaped member, means for locking said threaded member against rotation, and a spring seated within said casing and adapted to force said bolt toward said groove and into the recess formed by said U-shaped member when said door is closed, said bolt being capable of manual actuation against the action of said spring.

2. In washing machine construction, in combination, a drum capable of rotation, a door slidably mounted within tracks upon said drum, a pair of housings positioned within said tracks, U-shaped members secured within said housings by threaded bolts, the position of said U-shaped members with respect to said tracks being determined by rotation of said bolts, two bolt members mounted upon the interior sides of said door and adapted to slide toward and away from the sides of said drum, said bolt members being adapted respectively to fit within said U-shaped members when said door is closed, and resilient means for forcing said bolts toward the sides of said drum, said bolts being capable of manual actuation against the action of said resilient means.

3. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a drum, an opening in the circumference of said drum, a door mounted to slide circumferentially over said opening, an opening in said door located adjacent an edge thereof, a hollow bolt mounted on said door back of said opening and movable toward and away from said edge of the door, a latch member mounted on the drum in position to receive a portion of said bolt, and means giving access from the exterior of the drum to the interior of the bolt and forming a hand grip for operation of both said bolt and said door.

4. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a drum, an opening in the circumference of said drum, a door mounted to slide circumferentially over said opening, an opening in'said door located adjacent an edge thereof, a hollow bolt mounted on said door back of said opening and movable toward and away from said edge of the door, a latch member mounted on the drum in position to receive a portion of said bolt, means giving access from the exterior of the drum to the interior of the bolt and forming a hand grip for operation of both said bolt and said door, and means adapted to adjust said latch member to determine the locked position of said door and to take up wear.

5. In a lock construction for washing machine cylinder doors, in combination, a washing cylinder, an opening in the periphery thereof, a curved door mounted to slide circumferentially over said opening, a latch member fixed to the surface of the cylinder adjacent the edge of said door, and locking means on the door comprising a spring-urged bolt adapted to slide into and out of said latch, a portion of said bolt being recessed to form a socket below the surface of the door and forming a hand grip to permit both lateral unlocking movement of the bolt and lifting movement of the door, the bolt having lateral movement only relative to the door, the end of the socket thereby forming a bearing surface for the fingers to unlock the bolt and the sides of the socket forming bearing surfaces for directly lifting and closing the door.

LE ROY C. SCHENCK. 

